(Classroom Scene)
Teacher: "Students, that's all for today. I'll see you in tomorrow's class."
(Bell rings)
Shub walks toward Johan.
Shub: "Johan, would you like to hang out with us?"
Johan: "Sorry, Shub. I have to go home."
Shub: "Come on, bro! Let's have some fun with our new friend."
Johan: "Sorry, but I have work to do at home.
You guys can go. I'll join you another time."
Shub: "Alright."
(Johan leaves.)
Zack: "Shub, why did you invite him? What if he joins us?"
Shub: "It's good if he joins us, because we don't have to pay the bill."
Zack: "Oh, I see, Shub…"
"Why did this not come to my mind?"
Shub: "Alright! Let's head home."
(Scene Shift – Johan's Home)
Johan: "Hey, Uncle Jay!
I'm back…
Why is the store not open today?"
Uncle Jay: "Welcome home, Johan.
Come here, there's someone who came to see you."
Johan: "Coming…"
Johan: "Oh! Aunt Reena!"
Aunt Reena: "How are you, my boy?"
(Johan runs toward Aunt Reena, hugs her tightly, and starts crying.)
Aunt Reena: "Oh my, what happened? Why are you crying?"
Johan: "I missed you so much…
And you didn't even call me once."
Aunt Reena: "Oh, my son Johan… I missed you too.
I'm sorry for not calling you.
Now stop crying. From now on, I'm not leaving you anymore."
Johan: "Okay… I'm fine now. Sorry."
(Johan's Perspective)
"I don't have many memories since my birth.
Aunt Reena and Uncle Jay are the ones who raised me like their own family.
Apparently, my real parents…
One day, I had a high fever. Aunt Reena stayed awake the whole night,
sitting beside me and taking care of me.
I still remember that moment.
From that day onward, I accepted Aunt Reena as my mother."
Uncle Jay: "Johan, you're such a baby."
(laughs)
Aunt Reena: "Shut up, Jay!"
Uncle Jay: "Yeah, yeah, sorry!"
Johan: "Aunt Reena, do you remember you said you'd fulfill one of my wishes?"
Aunt Reena: "Of course! You are my precious son, Johan.
What do you want? Just tell me, I'll do it for you."
Uncle Jay: "Johan, I'm your uncle, you don't have to do this to me…"
Johan: "Relax, Uncle! Aunt Reena, I want—"
Aunt Reena: "Yes, tell me!"
Johan: "Can I call you 'Mom' from now on?"
(Aunt Reena is shocked for a moment… then smiles warmly, eyes filled with happiness.)
Aunt Reena: "Of course! You are my son, Johan.
You don't need permission to call me 'Mom'."
Johan: "Really? Then I'll call you Mom from now on."
Uncle Jay: "Johan… so you're calling Reena 'Mom' now?
What about me? Are you going to call me 'Dad' too?"
(He says this confidently.)
Johan: "No. I don't call you dad. You're annoying."
Aunt Reena: (laughs) "Haha, Jay… are you jealous?"
Uncle Jay: "No, I'm not!"
(They all laugh together and enjoy the moment.)
Johan: "Mom… where have you been all this time?"
("Her smile froze for a second…
as if she was hiding something.".)
— End of Chapter —
— To be continued —